Bernice "Bernie" Elger (nee Zimdahl) passed on to her next journey after a courageous battle with cancer with the care and assistance of her loving family. Where others may have chosen to give up when living became difficult, she arose each day facing her illness with strength, grace, humility, and an unshakable faith in her Savior.

Bernie was proceeded in death by her parents and brothers, her beloved son Jerry and her soulmate Carroll "Cary" Elger.

Survived by son and daughter-in-law Dennis and Christine (nee Anhalt), son and daughter-in-law Terry and Denise (nee Klug), daughter-in-law Margie (nee Baker), brother-in-law Jack Elger, grandchildren: Jennifer Kitzmann (Josh), Binga Manwiller (Nate), Dedrick Elger (Esther) and Carroll "Cary" Elger, great-grandchildren: Keegan, Zayden, Atticus, Cameron, Jack and Nola and many cherished nieces, nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), or a charity of your choosing. Bernie was especially proud of her support for the DAV in honor of her dear husband Cary who served in World War II. (dav.org)

How can one describe a life of almost 101 years? Falling in love right at the beginning of WWII, caring for her future husband as he recovered from a wartime illness, waiting almost three years for the arrival of her first son and then being surprised by the arrival of twins!

After living in Milwaukee for several years and purchasing their first home, Bernie and Cary make the monumental decision to move across the United States to live in Phoenix Arizona. Thus began one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of Bernie's life! No friends, no family, just 2000 miles and three young boys.
Purchasing a beautiful new home, making wonderful friends at the local church, assisting Cary with his own watch repair business, and caring for her family, life for Bernie was busy indeed. Buying a Nimrod popup camper jump started the exploration of Arizona's great outdoors, vast desert, mountain forests, beautiful caves, western ghost towns, Indian historical sites, tubing down cool streams, indeed no corner of Arizona was left unturned. Many times, Bernie has described these years as the best years of her life.

However, after seven years in Arizona, tragedy struck, and her loving husband Cary passed away.
Once again, the difficult decision was made to move back to Milwaukee to be close to family and friends.
Taking on the task of raising three teenage boys, Bernie displayed a commitment and strength that she attributed to her faith in the Lord and her wonderful extended family. Caring for her family, purchasing her own home, working full time as Secretary to the President and Bank Officer for the Wauwatosa State Bank, Bernie created a wonderful and fulfilling family environment for her three boys.

The next amazing phase of Bernie's life began when her boys grew up and moved out. She sold her home, moved first to an apartment and then to the Steepleview retirement community.
Not content to knit and play Bingo, Bernie began a life of travel to see the world! Surprising all who knew her, she embarked on over 90 overnight trips and vacations. She traveled to see the sites in every one of the 50 United States, some of them more than once. She made jaunts to Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The world was her oyster and Bernie searched out fun and adventure into her late years.

A truly loving, honest, and caring person is rare in these times. Bernie stands as an inspiration to all who knew her.
God will be challenged to build a mansion big enough to contain the life of one Bernice Elger!!